Craig Brown believes the standard of officiating in Europe is higher than in Scotland but insists the focus should be on improving our officials rather than importing foreign referees.

The SPFL will form a working party to look at fundamental change to the disciplinary procedures in Scotland following concerns from clubs about the standard of refereeing.

The Scottish FA will consider changes to refereeing but former Scotland boss Brown has urged the power-brokers within Scottish football to look within the national game for a solution rather than go down the route of importing foreign referees.

He said: “It’s easy to pick faults but what is not easy is coming up with the solution. I feel sorry for referees as the level of scrutiny is greater now than it’s ever been. There are more cameras showing incidents from different angles and we can review it all in depth after the fact.

“People say VAR is the answer but even with that in place in some countries we still see horrendous decisions being made.

“We’re lucky in that we see some the best referees in European football and I can look at the games Aberdeen have played in Europe and the standard of the officiating has been very good.

“I can’t say the same about Scottish football but our officials are honest and doing their best. What they need is greater support.”

Aberdeen director Brown was manager at Motherwell when foreign officials were brought in to take charge of weekend fixtures following a strike by Scottish officials in 2010.

Brown praised the standard of refereeing in the Europa League.

He disagreed with the introduction of officials from outside Scotland being brought in then and remains steadfast in his belief Scottish referees should take charge of games in this country.

He said: “When I was at Motherwell and the referees in this country went on strike I didn’t think bringing in foreign officials was the answer and I still don’t think it is the answer today.

“The route used to be from the junior game up to the top level, just as it was for a player. I can tell you this much, if you can referee Cumnock against Auchinleck you can referee a World Cup final.

“The standard of the fitness of our referees is as strong as it has ever been but the job is hard and we would all like to see the number of mistakes which are made cut down.

“Instead of focusing on trial by television we should be concentrating on training by television. Referees can review incidents and receive guidance or clarity from senior colleagues, whether it is from head of referees John Fleming or someone else of a similar senior status to improve the decision-making process.”